Following Postmodernism

Read an article awhile ago on postmodernism.  Or on what comes after postmodernism.

It is not an uncommon question.  Answers also abound.  As do views of what postmodernism is.

But the article did make me think.  Not so much about its proposal, but my own.

For what it's worth then, I think that postmodernism, no matter what it is besides, is an epoch of thought defined by a certain moral ambiguousness or spiritual neutrality.   It is a time of undecidability.  Of not knowing how or what to decide or believe.  It is a time when decisions and defining beliefs are elusive or hard to come by. 

Under postmodernism leadership is uninspiring.  Morality is in need of rejuvination.  Religion is doubtful and of little significance. 

Postmodernism marks a time of spiritual void or vacuity.  Of complete and utter homelessness and hopelessness.  Of having nowhere to rest our head so full of confusion about what is good and what is evil.  About what is True and what is false.

 

Postmodernism has this quality because it comes after the end of modernism, after the many (anthropocentric!) idols and projects of modernism fell and failed.  Progress.  Reason.  The systematisation of reality.  Even modernism's typically steadfast commitment to God falls into disrepute under postmodernism.  Or at least the God of so-called "onto-theology" does, which Nietzsche, and Stirner before him, declared the death of.

(Modernism too struggled with religion but the point there was not that we shouldn't commit to God, which we should, but that we should rely on our own reason rather than the authority of others when it comes to discerning God's word.  This is why modernism gave rise to the Protestant Reformation, which advocated a personal relationship with Scripture versus a Church controlled one.)

As a critique of modernism's values postmodernism is effectively a time of having nothing left upon which we can rely.  Again, it is a time of moral ambiguity and spiritual void.

But as to what follows postmodernism this gives us a vital clue.  I think Nietzsche puts it well when he describes our possible responses to nihilism: Either we can give up any search for Truth, opting instead to play Nintendo and eat cheesy poofs all day, or we could be like explorers who look yearningly into the space opened up by postmodernism.

That is, we could commit to a neutered existence or we could be enheartened and emboldened by the vista  before us.  The space cleared of all of modernism's (humanistic!) errors and ready for us to begin hoping and desiring for something new.  A foundation upon which, and from which, we can live.

The epoch of thought that follows postmodernism then, or that should follow postmodernism, is a time defined by seeking out this new home.  It is a time of searching for a new religion and inspiration for decision and spiritual fulfillment.

It too is a homeless time but at least the restless wandering of postmodernism is replaced by a moving about with purpose.  The moral ambiguity, secularity and atheism accompanying postmodernism are replaced by a hint and promise of something True.  A promised land and day of rest after the long hard work and labour pains that define the epoch of thought we are currently in.

Thanks be to Job.

Why I am Catholic

As a Catholic I'm far from perfect.  And I certainly don't want to suggest my commitment to the full set of Catholic doctrines and opinions.  Or at least not those of the earthly organization that we call the Catholic Church.  But as far from perfect as I may be I am Catholic.  And that statement of faith requires some explanation, at least to myself, in the name of personal integrity.

So why am I Catholic?  There are many reasons.  I won't tackle them all here.  Only the first and main reason, namely, that the Catholic Church is the original Church, there can be only one Church, and in its nature it is the Church of everyone.  In the Catholic Church everyone finds his or her place and meaning.

To understand this though is to understand that the Catholic Church is more than just a place or organization.  It is more than just a political concept, a set of teachings, or something that we are to attend every Sunday.  The Catholic Church is these things but it is also bigger than these things.  The Catholic Church is the presence of Christ on earth, which is to say the presence of wisdom and love.  Howsoever wisdom and love express themselves in an earthly organization or Sunday service.

To be part of the Catholic Church is to be part of the body of Christ.  It is to serve our own particular function like the hand or the eye, or like that of a plumber or scientist, a mediator or consoler.  But it is to do so under the head of Christ, who is wisdom and love.  To say "I am Catholic" is to declare one's commitment, not to some earthly organization, or to the Pope in Rome, but to wisdom and love.  To the rule of wisdom and love on earth.  Or to any Pope who embodies these things...

As the presence of wisdom and love on earth there can be only one Church.  The Catholic Church is something that we can all be part of, and find meaning in, despite our differences.  What is it that St. Paul says?  "It doesn't matter if you're Greek or Jew, slave or free, male or female (gay or straight, Muslim or atheist...).  These are differences that make no difference in the body of Christ."  Our differences are not what exclude us in the sense of what keep us out, but rather in the sense of what sets us apart, and gives us a special role to play in the body of Christ.  Our differences are what make us an ear or a toe, a farmer or a doctor, a judge and even executioner.  Our differences are what give us a special power to contribute to the power and glory of wisdom and love on earth.

The very word "Catholic" says it all:  Rooted in the Greek word 'katholou' meaning 'universal' the Catholic Church is for everyone.   Everyone is called to join in and empower the cause of wisdom and love.  Everyone has a place and role to play in the Catholic Church.  No one is to be left outside.  Despite what doctrines the earthly organization might suggest.  Despite what differences may set us apart.

The Catholic Church is the union of all in the body of Christ.  It is the union of those who are part of the body of Christ.  It is the union of all those who are in the service of wisdom and love.

The Catholic Church is the original Church, and there can be only one Church.  The Church is something I find very appealing.

That is why I am Catholic.  Or try to be.

Thanks be to Job.